How to Write an Ebook

Seven steps to writing an ebook

Scribendi.com explains how to

write an ebook in 7 easy steps.

A new household item and essential tool for modern reading puts an entire library into one small, portable device: the eReader. With one click, ebook readers worldwide have instantaneous access to an ocean of writing. With everything from science fiction to textbooks, there is no shortage of information circulating in the online world. While competing with the abundance of online work seems daunting, it provides an unbelievable opportunity for writers, regardless of circumstance, to get their ebook published.

Do you have an original idea that you want to share with the world? The first step is to begin writing. Let’s get started!

Identify your idea

As amazing as it is to have a great idea, thousands of other writers have great ideas, too. The first question to ask is how your topic stands apart from others. Flesh out your idea. Jot down notes on all possible facets of your topic. By brainstorming all the topics you plan to cover and writing them out, you will have a visual plan that you can organize later.

Identify who will buy your idea

Based on your list of ideas, try to think of all the different types of people that might be interested in reading an ebook about your topic. Be as specific as possible. This will help you determine which writing style fits the audience you want to market the eBook toward.

Make an outline

Once you've decided what and to whom you are writing, use your brainstorming material to form a rough outline. Use it to determine the flow of your ideas. To begin, create the structure for the overarching topics and divide them into headings. This will help to avoid tangents and disorganized thoughts as well as give you a clear direction for your ebook. Feel free to be as specific or as general as you would like, depending on what you find most helpful. Also, do not be afraid to change your outline as you write; it is merely a mapping tool.

Research

If there are any aspects of your work that you are uncomfortable writing about, research them in more depth. This will make you confident in your writing and increase your credibility as a writer. Make sure to keep a record of all the sources you use so that you can cite them at the end of the work.

Write the first draft

Once the planning stage is complete, it is time to put something on paper. It does not matter where you begin or how rough it might look; having something to edit is better than having nothing to edit. This is where the outline comes in handy. By having an idea of where the book is headed, it is easier to continue writing if you get stuck.

Review, revise, rewrite

Upon completing the first draft of your book, take a few days to detach from the work before returning to edit. Remember that editing is a part of the creative process. Even though it might be hard to emotionally separate from your first draft, it is important to do so. Try to read it from the perspective of a reader unfamiliar with the topic, or send it to ebook editors to identify trouble spots.

Final touches

Once you've ironed out all the major issues, examine your work in fine detail to fix any mistakes that might have been overlooked. After this, you are ready to send your writing off to be published online.

Writing an ebook, like writing any book, is not an easy task. It takes effort and dedication, and you must compete with other ebooks on the market. But if you create a plan and put in the time, it is possible to create something unique and impactful.